AMBUSH HOST COMETS SATURDAY AT FAMILY ARENA

by Jim Fossell

ALUMNI GAME AT HALFTIME

St. Charles, MO (February 8, 2019) – The race for the second playoff spot in the MASL South Central Division heats up when the St. Louis Ambush host the Kansas City Comets Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. CT at the Family Arena in St. Charles. Also on tap Saturday night at halftime is the annual Alumni Game, featuring stars from previous Steamers, Storm and Ambush teams.

While every outing in a 24-game season is important, Saturday’s contest is as close to a “must win” for the Ambush as they come. Kansas City presently sits in second place in the division with a 7-5 record, while the Ambush are in third with a 7-8 record. The Milwaukee Wave are in first place at 10-2, and are the likely division champions, leaving the remaining four teams in the division battling for second place, which is the second of two postseason berths in the division.

Saturday night’s contest is the fifth of six meetings between the I-70 rivals slated for the 2018-19 regular season. The Ambush hold a 3-1 advantage in head-to-head meetings between the clubs thus far. Saturday’s duel is also the third in a seven-game home stand for the Ambush, their longest home stand of the season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: AMBUSH

Rookie forward Zach Reget leads the team in goals (15), points (19) and game-winning goals (2) and currently leads all rookies in the MASL in goals scored. He’s been named MASL Player of the Week once, named to the Sporturf Team of the Week twice and earned honorable mention four times, including this week. If he continues at this rate, he’s a candidate for Rookie of the Year.

With 18 points, Justin Stinson, another rookie, ranks right behind his roommate, Reget, in points and is second on the team in goals (11).

Defender Magui has worked his way up the statistical ladder and ranks third on the team in points (14) and first in assists with nine. Although the Ambush lost to Orlando in their last outing last Saturday, Magui helped keep his team close by tallying two goals and three assists, while blocking four shots, in that game. That performance earned him his first Sporturf MASL Team of the Week honor.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: COMETS

Forward Leo Gibson remains a force to be reckoned with, leading the Comets in points (34), goals (16), assists (18), and is tied for the team lead in game-winning goals with two. Those numbers are also good enough to place Gibson second in the league in points, tied for fourth in goals and second in assists. Has four goals and four assists in his last three games.

With 16 points and 10 goals, midfielder Lucas Rodriguez ranks second on the Comets in both categories. Has four goals and three assists in his last three games.

Midfielder Bryan Perez is right behind Rodriguez with 15 points and nine goals. Has three goals and three assists in his last three games.

Saturday is also Alumni Night, when the Ambush will honor the players and teams that built the rich tradition of professional indoor soccer in St. Louis. Alumni players and coaches will be signing autographs on the concourse at 5:30 p.m., will be introduced to the crowd at 6:50 p.m., and will participate in an Alumni Game at halftime. For more information, including the list of participants, visit stlambush.com/alumni.

Following Saturday’s clash with the Comets, the Ambush get a week off before welcoming both Florida division rivals the following weekend. On Friday, February 22, the Orlando SeaWolves return for a 7:35 p.m. CT contest, followed by the Florida Tropics on Saturday, February 23 at 7:05 p.m. CT. For fans unable to catch any game in person, all MASL games are webcast live at masl.tv.

Group and single game tickets are on sale for all Ambush home games. For more information, call the Ambush office at 636-477-6363. Keep up to date on all Ambush news by following the official website, stlambush.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ALUMNI NIGHT TIMETABLE AND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS.